Telecom has launched what it says is the first local music store for Android devices (Google Play, formerly known as Android Market - Google's equivalent to the Apple iTunes AppStore, has not yet deigned to provide New Zealanders access to its broader music, movie and TV programme content).
"The songs are digital rights management free and can be played on their other digital media players," a Telecom spokeswoman told NBR Online.
Songs can also be downloaded via wi-fi (and you may want to avoid downloading them on Telecom's cellular network, as downloads - around 4MB per song - are metered, and standard data charges apply on top of the cost of a song).
The catch is that the purchase of a song must be completed on Telecom's network.
The Telecom Music Store for Android Devices app is available for download from Google Play (search for "Telecom Music").
Songs are priced at $1.45, $1.99 or $2.45 and albums are priced at $12.95, $17.99 or $21.99 (more info is at Telecom.co.nz/music).Purchases will appear on contract customers' Telecom bills or be deducted off pre-paid balances.
By contrast, Apple's iTunes charges $2.39 for popular songs and $1.29 to $1.39 for other tracks.
Telecom says more than 1 million songs are on offer (modest compared to iTunes NZ or Google Play in the US) including a "great selection" of New Zealand music.
The app was developed in conjunction with US-based Livewire Mobile and will work with phones running Android 2.0 and above.
The Telecom spokeswoman was not immediately able to say if the Telecom Music Store app's purchasing function would work with mobiles on plans with Telecom's Skinny Mobile sub-brand. [UPDATE: No it won't].
Chris Keall
Wed, 27 Jun 2012
Wed, 27 Jun 2012
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Telecom launches copy-free Android Music Store
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